What is Tae Kwon Do?

Tae Kwon-Do is a version of an ancient form of unarmed combat practised for many centuries in the Orient, perfected in its present form in Korea. Translated from Korean, 'Tae' literally means to jump, kick or smash with the foot. 'Kwon' means a fist chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. 'Do' means art, way or method.

Tae Kwon-Do indicates the technique of unarmed combat for self-defence, involving the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks, dodges and interception with the hand, arms and feet to the rapid destruction of the opponent.

To the Korean people Tae Kwon-Do is more than a mere use of skilled movements. It also implies a way of thinking and life, particularly in instilling a concept and spirit of strict self-imposed discipline and an ideal of noble moral re-armament. In these days of violence and intimidation, which seem to plague our modern societies, Tae Kwon-Do enables the weak to possess a fine weapon to defend himself or herself and defeat the opponent as well. When wrongly applied it can be a lethal weapon.